© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

April Fool's! Exploring Pranks and Practical Jokes

BBC

I'll be honest: I hate April Fools' Day, and I'm not a big fan of practical jokes. I hate it the way that some people hate Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve. I think merriment and foolishness should be spread across the year. That's why most of our shows, even pretty serious ones, start with a comedy sketch, because life is so much better when you think of it as a comedy.

April Fool's Day is also about pranks - which are either the lowest form of comedy, or a species completely distinct from comedy. Pranks have victims and thrive from misunderstandings. One thing I can tell you from years in the satire business is that people are incredibly easy to fool, even when you don't mean to.

But I live for the thrill of having my mind changes, so on this show, we're going to meet people who have tried to raise pranks to an art form. We'll go far, far beyond the whoopee cushion to talk to some of the nation's most devoted and ambitious hoax artists.

Have you ever been pranked? Pranked someone else? Tell us about it by writing below, emailing Colin@wnpr.org, or tweeting @wnprcolin.

GUESTS:

  • Jeff Pinsker is the president of Klutz and the vice president of Scholastic, Inc.
  • Martin Wainwright is the author of The "Guardian" Book of April Fool’s Day
  • Tom Mabe is a professional prankster living in Kentucky
  • Joey Skaggsis a multimedia artist in New York City called The World’s Greatest Hoaxer

Tags
Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.
Chion Wolf is the host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public.
Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content